Dr. Laura Lucier is a licensed Professional Engineer who holds degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Calgary and McGill University. She began her aerospace career with the Canadian Space Agency, researching how materials degrade in low-Earth orbit. Her work resulted in several peer-reviewed publications in the fields of plasma physics and materials science.

From 2002 to 2017, Dr. Lucier worked at NASA Johnson Space Center as a robotics flight controller. In this role, she led teams responsible for planning and executing Space Shuttle Program and International Space Station missions involving the Canadarm2 and Dextre robotic systems. As a “ROBO” flight controller, Dr. Lucier logged more than 4,800 hours on console in Mission Control, supporting 13 Space Shuttle missions, numerous spacewalks, and a wide range of routine, high-stress, and emergency operations. Most notably, she pioneered methods for the safe capture and release of free-flying uncrewed spacecraft using Canadarm2.

Dr. Lucier has received numerous honors for her robotics and flight-control work, including APEGA’s Early Accomplishment Award, Engineers Canada’s Young Engineer Achievement Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Stellar Award, and awards from the American, Canadian, and Japanese space agencies.

From 2017 to 2019, Dr. Lucier served as group lead for the flight controllers responsible for operating information technology assets aboard the International Space Station and NASA’s next-generation spacecraft. She currently serves as Chief of the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division at NASA.

Outside of work, Dr. Lucier is an instrument-rated commercial pilot, stained-glass artist, and SCUBA instructor. She also volunteers with Cybermentor, an online mentoring program for young women interested in careers in engineering and science.